Matariki ki Waikato Festival

Celebrate The Māori New Year

Matariki ki Waikato Festival Celebrates The Māori New Year

Over the months of June and July, Waikato families can learn about the cultural significance of Matariki by attending one of the many free public events celebrating this time of year. Local Matariki events provide a fun opportunity for interactive exploration with activities ranging from performance nights, kite flying day, Māori art exhibitions, Matariki night market, Matariki menu challenge and much more. With a variety of free activities on offer at venues such as the Hamilton City Library, The Waikato Museum, Creative Waikato and Tai Wananga Ruakura there is plenty for the community to get amongst. For more info head to the Matariki ki Waikato Facebook page and website.

- Karanga o te Tau Hou - Special Dawn Ceremony Te Parapara Gardens 15 June, 6am
Celebrate the new year in the Hamilton Gardens with special karakia and waiata tahi.

- Matariki Stars - The Waikato Museum 16-17 June from 10am-5pm
Join us to weave stars from string at the hui-a-toi craft table. Materials provided. All welcome.

- Matariki Kauwhau Public Presentation Te Kōpū Mānia Marae WINTEC City Campus 22 June 11.30am - 12.30pm
Come and celebrate Matariki gathering together in the warmth of Wintec’s marae for a guest presentation by renowned leading wahine mareikura, Dr. Te Rita Papesch who will be presenting on a range of kaupapa Māori pertaining to her journey thus far. Her passions include Kapa Haka and Te Reo Māori revitalisation but her greatest achievement is her large whānau. She is a mother of seven, grandmother to 31 moko and great-grandmother to 12.

- Matariki Kite Day - Hamilton Gardens 24 June 11.30am- 2.30pm
This fun day for the whole whanau includes kite flying and manutukutuku making while learning about Matariki, the Māori New Year. Attendees will receive a complimentary gift bag with Matariki and te reo Māori resources. Spot prizes for kite flyers and a free sausage sizzle.

- Matariki ki Te Whare Taonga o Waikato - The Waikato Museum 15 July 11am- 4pm
Matariki storytelling session and craft activity in the morning with Curator’s presentation and music performance in the afternoon.
Programme:
- 11am – 1pm Whaea Around The Fire
Igniting traditional storytelling and craft session with Museum staff
- 2pm Rerehau: Riding the fast wind – How do we survive an even faster future?
Museum Curator Maree Mills draws upon the wisdom of our ancestors to empower you with tools to not only cope with change but to ride it and, better still, drive it.
- 3pm Matariki Music – An afternoon of melody with local performing artists Mrs Dlite

- WHITI Open Mic Night 27 July
With the epic emerging talent in the region, Whiti is a stage that welcomes new and seasoned performers to get up and let your talents shine. Creative Waikato 27 July Register 7.30pm, Starts 8pm

- Matariki Community Art ExhibitionMemory Hall Ngaruawahia 27th-30 June 12-4pm
Tupu a Rangi whetu is the focus the childrens art exhibition learning about Kauri dieback awareness in local primary schools. The Twin Rivers Art Centre in Ngaruawahia have worked alongside tamariki to create showcased artworks.

Matariki Celebtration at Hamilton Junior High School 28 June 4pm-6.30pm
The newly formed kapa haka rōpū of Hamilton Junior High School, Te Au o Tamatea, are inviting public along to come and support their fundraiser for kapa haka uniforms to perform in. There will be Kapa Haka performances, Matariki art gallery with artwork for sale, sausage sizzle, bake store, face painting and more